Wheel



W. S. BRINK Jan. 29, 1957 WHEEL 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept. l2, 1955 W.S. BRINK `Ian. 29, 1957 WHEEL Filed sept. 12, `1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 nAAzal

W. S. BRINK Jan. 29, 1957 WHEEL 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. l2, 19551I! lille- United States Patent O WHEEL Winfield S. Brink, Akron, Ohio,assignor to The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, Akron, Ohio, acorporation of Ghio Application September 12, 1955, Serial No. 533,846.

Claims. (Cl. 301-9) This invention relates to tractor wheels and moreparticularly to a rear wheel construction which enables the spacing ofthe wheels to be varied. j

This application is a continuation-impart of my pend; ing applicationSerial No. 406,676 filed January 28,` 1954, now Patent No. 2,755,138.Like the adjustable tractor Wheel shown and described in thatapplication, the present invention provides a rim portion which isaxially movable with respect to the supporting central disc portion ofthe wheel. In the present case the rim has a plurality of notched barsassociated in pairs and spaced about the inner circumference of the rimin such a manner that the notches in the bars provide paths for thehelical outer edge of the disc. When the wheels are rotated, thereaction between the disc and the bars -pro duces the desired axialmovement of the rims on the disc and the spacing of the wheels isaccordingly varied.

Several advantages result from grouping the notched bars in pairs.First, a greater bearing surface is provided between the rim and thedisc, both for wheel adjustment `and for clamping the rim and disc partstogetherafter the wheel adjustment "has been made. Second, the closespacing of the bars forming apair, enables an improved clamp to be usedin combination therewith and, as airesult, a more secure clamping actionis obtained. Lastly, the arrangement enables the clamps-to act asdriving members thereby minimizing slippage between the rim and thewheel disc during normal operation ofthe tractor.

` It is, accordingly, a general object of the inventionto l provide anovel Wheel construction for agriculturaltractors and the like, whichenables an adjustment of `th wheel spacing over a relatively wide range.1

Another object is to provide a tractor wheel -constructionzin which thewheel spacing may be adjusted by utilizingthe'power of the rear axle.

A more speciticobject is to provide atractor Wheel constructioncomprising two relatively movable rim and disc parts whereby rotation ofthe disc Within therim j n will cause an axial adjustment of the rimposition.

Another object is to provide a tractor` Wheel having relative movableparts whose axial positions may be ad- `justed with respect to eachother together Withetfective clamping means which may be convenientlyand quicklyy and which minimizes slipping betweenxthe *scribed which isstrong and simple in design, which is reliable in `operation and whichis virtuallytree from jamming or clogging.i

These and other objectsand advantages `will bernorer vfully apparentfrom `the following `descrlption of a preferred form of the invention inwhich:

`Figure llis aside elevation ofa rear tractorwheel embodying theinvention;

Figure 2 is a sectional View of a portion of the Wheel of Figure l, theView being taken in the radial plane indicated by the lines 2 2 ofFigure 1 and the scale being considerably larger than that of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken in the horizontal plane indicated bythe lines 3 3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of a portion of Figure 2showing particularly one of the clamping members and also a stop memberin. position on the Wheel;

Figure 5 is an elevation of one of the notched bar assemblies showing astop member in position engaging the Wheel disc, which is shown insection;

Figure 6 is a sectional view, taken in the plane indicated by the lines6-6 of Figure 5, and showing the manner in which the stop member is heldin position relative one of the notched bar assemblies; and

Figure 7 is a perspective View of a portion of the wheel of Figure 1showing a stop member and a clamp member in position on the wheel.

Referring first to Figure l, a tractor wheel 10 embodying the inventiongenerally comprises two relatively movable parts, a disc portion,indicated at 11, and a rim portion indicated at 12. Normally clamps holdthe two parts together to act as an integrally functioning wheel but theclamps may be released so that the relative axial position of the rimcan be adjusted with respect to the disc to provide the desired wheelspacing. The arrangement is such that rotation of the disc portion byapplying power to the rear axle of a tractor in one direction will causethe rim portion to move outwardly on the disc toward a position ofgreater Wheel spacing, while reversing the power will pull the riminwardly toward a position of closer wheel spacing. The rim 12 which isof conventional drop center construction comprises the side flanges 13,tire bead seats `14 and a drop center well 15. The disc portion, exceptfor the modication required by the present invention, is also ofconventional design comprising a hub 17 by which the disc is removablysecured to the driving axle of the tractor and the disc portion 1l whichis secured to the hub and which provides support for the rim of thewheel. The disc 11 is preferably formed from sheet `steel of suitablethickness so as to have the required strength/and rigidity, but ofcourse it. mayalso be of cast metal. j

In `conventional wheel constructions the outer'edge of the disc portiongenerally lies in a single plane so that the edge describes a truecircle. In the present invention the disc body is partially split asindicated in 19 and itsperipheral edge 2t) is offset uniformly aroundthe circumference of the body so as to describe a single turn of ahelix.

A track in which the helical edge 20 rides is provided `by four notchedbar brackets 22. which are welded or otherwise rmly secured` to theinner circumference of the rim at intervals. The brackets, except forcertain features which will be discussed later, are generally.identical-in construction and only one will be described in detail. Itwill be observed particularly from Figures `2 and 5 that each of thebrackets has a pair of circumferentially spaced tubular or barportions23 which projectradially `inwardly from the base 24 of thebracket. The base` is slightly curved to tit the rim and is spot weldedat a suitable number of points to the bottom Wall of `the drop centerwell of the rim. Preferablyeach base,`

.also has a pair of stamped bosses 25 which extend radially outwardly oneach side of the drop center well to Contact `and support the bead seats14 of the rim. Each notched .rim on the disc. Although in thepresentexample four notched bar brackets are shown spaced about the-rimit is apparent that any convenient number of brackets may be used.

AsY will be observed particularly from Figure the bars 23 of thebrackets each have a plurality of notches 26 which are cut through thebars 23 as far as the-bases of thebrackets. Six such notches are shownin the .present example. in order to align the notches in a helical pathso that they will receive the edge 20 of the disc, the brackets 22 arewelded to the rim at a slight angle to the axis of the rim as indicatedatc'in Figure 5, and the notches in each bar are spaced apart by adistance equal to the pitch of the helix which i-s described by the discedge .230. It should be noted that while the notchedbars in'eachbracketare lvirtually identical, tothe notched bars in the various brackets arenot identical but differ in one respect. .ln order that each of the barswill receive the helical disc edge 2i) it is necessary that the notches26 ofthe bars of'adjacent brackets ,be displaced uniformly by an amountequal `to 1A of the pitch'of the edge 20. Furthermore, the displacementby this amount must be in the same direction and must .be progressivefrom bracket to bracket around the periphery of the r'im. Thisfeatureplaces the notches in a helical pathk providing an effectiveengagement between the disc edge 20'and the notcheszd about theperiphery of the wheel forall axial positions of the disc and the rim.The clearances ,between the disc edge and the notches enable thediscedge to tit within the bars making upa pair, withoutthe ,necessityofdisplacing the corresponding notches in .the two bars.

i in use, the rear Wheels are mounted on a tractor with `the helices ofthe disc edge and notched bars of the right wheel extending oppositelyto those of the left wheel. When power is applied to the rear axle thedisc portion `11 of each wheel will tend to turn within its rim 12 andbyvirtue of the engagement of the helical disc edge 2t) with the notchedbars 23 an axial thrust will be transmitted to the rim to move itinwardly or outwardly depending upon the direction of the application ofthe power `to the axle. For example, in Figure 7, if the wheel is drivencounterclockwise, as viewed, the rim portion 12 will be drawn inwardlyto the right. Since there are six notches '26 Vprovided in the bars 22,five complete rotations `of a disc portion 11 relative to the rim l12will move .the wheel in an axial direction by a distance slightlysrnaller than the width of the rim. Proportionally'fewer nufnbers ofrotations will result ina correspondingly smaller axial adjustment ofthe rim on the disc'. One relative-,rotatim will move the rimapproximately onev:f xth ofthe rim width, a distance equal to the ,pitchof the helix; in this example, about l inch. j "Theadjustmcnt ofthewheel :spacing referred to above is accomplished only'when the rim anddisc portionsvof 'fthe wheel are'free to moverelativ'e to each other.'V,Dun ing regular operation of the tractor it is necessarythat the lwheelspacing be held constant and, as menti'nedlabove,

this'is accomplished'by clamping means which hold the disc and Vrimltogether so that during operation the parts will function as anintegralwl eel.

'The yclamping means takes the form of individualmetnpersist, eachett/arch is Lraam/ably semestri 'at aise edg'efli by means'of a' nut 5ft-anda bolt 372 whichp e's througha drilled hole 33 inthe `disc edge andthrough elongated slot 34 in the member 3?. Each member 30is essentiallyrectangular in shape having a Width which enables its outer end to litsnugly between the bars 23 of the bracketZZ, see Figure 4. Each of theclamps has a lug portion its radially inner end which is adapted ytofitloosely" in a hole 356 inthe disc, see particularly Figures 2 and 3.TheV llength of the ,clamp'pin tlieradial direction, is somewhatlongerfthan tliedistan'ce of the hole 36 from the edge vof the disc,asbest indicated in 'Figure 2.

clamps ,30 are positioned with their-lugs -35 inserted in holes 36 andwith the clamps fitting between the bars of each bracket respectively.When the nuts 31 are drawn tight upon the bolts the clamps pivot aboutthe lugs 35 in a clockwise movement, as viewed in Figure 2, until theradially outer edges 38 ofthe clamps strike the bases 24 of thebrackets. Further tightening of the nut on the bolt causes each clamp toact as a toggle exerting force in the radial direction upon the rim,thrrough the bracket base 24, and upon the wheel disc,.throughthesurfaces 39 of the holes 36 which receive the clamping lugs, see Figure2,. When the clamps 3u are tightened atrall four brackets the rim willbe securely chucked upon the wheel disc. It should also be v-noted thatwhen the nuts 31 are drawn tight upon the clamps the edge 20 of the discwill be pulled against the surfaces 49 of the notches and as a resultthere will be an effective axial clamping between the rim and discparts.

yBy'virtue'of the relatively ysnug lit of the clamps 30.

between the notched bars of each brackeh'slippage between the disc andthe rim during operation is minimized, forfwith the slightestfslippingmovement the clamps 30 'will/contact one or the other of the Vadjacentnotched bars, ldepending upon the direction of rotation of the wheel,and thereafterthe clamps will act as driving members impartingctorque tothe rim.

`When the Wheels are to be adjusted the clamps are released by-loosening the nuts l31. The clamps are vthen tilted so that the lugsv35 can be removed from the holes 36. Each clamp is then moved radiallyinwardly until it takes the position shownin dottedlines in Figure 2with thetlug35 ttingin a recess 42 in the disc. The radially extendingslot 34 in thel clamp permits this retracting radial movement. When theclamps are in the dotted line position, the nuts are tightened slightlyto hold the clamps lin--place so lthat they lcannot interfere with theadjusting ymovement of the disc edge 20 through the notched barbrackets.`

The rim is prevented from moving bodily off the disc during theadjustment ofthe wheel spacing by means vof stop. members 45 which blockthe extreme inner and outer .notches 26 respectively of one of the -barsand which act .'asabutments for the free ends 46 and 47 of thedisc edge.=Whenla disc edge makes abuttingcontact with either stop, further.relative rotation of the disc within the yrim is blocked. Thestopsthusset the extreme limits tothe relative rotational and axial movementsof the disc andrim parts. Thestops are removably secured to the bracketsby nuts 48 and bolts 49 so thatthey can be removed to -permit assembly.and disassembly of the wheel.

When' it is desired to adjust the wheel to .positionstintermediate theextreme positions determined by stops v45 a lstop,ofslightly'ditferentdesignis preferred. Sucha stop isdindicated generally at 50 and, -asshown in Figures ,5 1and 6,.comp'rises abody portion 51 which ts snuglybetween ,the `notched `Vbars of 4a bracket, with one Lend'SZ`.,abuttingone ofthe bars and blocking the adjacent notch to provide anabutment for the edge 20 Vof the disc and .'Withits other end 52positioned against the other bar ofthe bracket. :The stop 50isautomatically positioned sin plaoeabetween .the'bars andis secured totheywheel means of a curved arrn 54 which extends fromtherbodry vof -thestop 'and which [lits over the adjacent notched bar.

#,Tliearmjs,drilled asindieated at 55 and isprovidedrwitlh Aalriut and.bolt arrangement which enables it to be removably secured to thenotched bar'bracket, the bolt hav- Ving .an elongated .head156 whichin'one position can be against thesurfaces on each sideof thenotch.'.1i-'Eo reln order to' clamp the rim and disc portions together Y afterthe desired wheel adjustment has been effected, four 'n'ov theIstopfronrthe wheel,- the nut57 is loosenedthe belt vis turned land thehead v56 is withdrawn through the notch.' "It will be observed that thebody portion of the Vstop is identical to the clampingmember 30described above, being provided with a slot 58 enabling the stop to beused as a clamping member if desired.

The invention has the advantages of simplicity and convenience. Theconstruction is economical to manufacture and is strong and etective forthe most demanding service. It enables a wide range of wheel spacing tobe obtained7 particularly since the construction enables the wheels tobe reversed. The use of the spaced bars 23 of limited circumferentialextent makes the construction virtually self-cleaning with little dangerof clogging and jamming. The method or" clamping the rim and disc partstogether and the method of limiting the adjusting movement of the partsare particularly effective. They are convenient and easy to use and haveproven successful in the eld.

Various modifications and changes will no doubt occur to those skilledin the art without departing from the spirit and scope ol the invention,the essential features of which are summarized in the claims below.

I claim:

1. In a wheel construction adapted to provide a variable Wheel spacingfor an agricultural tractor and the like, a disc and a rim mountedthereon, said disc comprising a hub adapted to mount said wheel on theaxle of said tractor and a disc body secured to said hub and terminatingin an outer helical edge, a plurality of notched bars arranged in pairsabout the periphery of said rim and extending axially across and securedto the inner surface of said rim, said bars having corresponding notcheslying in a helical path having a pitch equal to said pitch of saidhelical edge to receive said edge for sliding movement therein, wherebyrelative rotation of said disc and` rim results in axial movement ofsaid rim on said disc, and a plurality of clamps each having itsradially outer end fitting snugly between the bars making up a said pairand means to draw said outer ends of said clamping members in arcuatepaths into contact with the radially inner surface of said brackets tobring said outer ends in position to exert a radial chucking forcethereon.

2. The wheel construction of claim 1 having pockets formed in said wheeldisc, said clamps have lug portions extending into said pockets androtate about the edges of said pockets.

3. The wheel construction of claim 2 in which said clamps between saidlugs and said outer ends are appreciably longer than the distance ofsaid pockets from said disc edge.

4. The wheel construction of claim 3 in which means to rotate saidclamping members comprise bolts extending through said clamping membersand through said disc and nuts threaded on said bolts to pull said discand said clamping members axially toward each other.

5. In a wheel construction adapted to provide a variable wheel spacingfor an agricultural tractor and the like, a disc and a rim mountedthereon, said disc comprising a hub adapted to mount said wheel. on theaxle of said tractor and a disc body secured to said hub and`terminatingin an outer helical edge, a plurality of brackets circumferentiallyspaced about the inner surface of said rim and secured thereto, eachbracket comprising a base portion conforming to said rim and a pair ofrelatively closely spaced notched bars integral with said base andextending axially across said rim, the corresponding notches of saidbars lying in a helical path having a pitch equal to said pitch of saidhelical edge to receive said edge for sliding movement therein, wherebyrelative rotation of said disc and rim results in axial movement of saidrim on said disc.

6. The wheel construction of clairn 5 and lug portions integral withsaid brackets at each end thereof extending radially outwardly tocontact and support the bead seats of said rim.

7. The wheel construction or claim 5 in which said brackets comprisestamped members and in which said bars comprise substantiallysemi-cylindrical portions extending radially inwardly from the base ofsaid brackets.

8. In a wheel construction adapted to provide a vari able wheel spacingfor an agricultural tractor and the like, a disc and a rim mountedthereon, said disc comprising a hub adapted to mount said wheel on theaxle of said tractor and a disc body secured to said hub and terminatingin an outer helical edge, a pluralityl of notched bars arranged in pairsabout the periphery of said rim and extending axially across and securedto the inner surface of said rim, the corresponding notches ot' saidbars lying in a. helical path having a pitch equal to said pitch of saidhelical edge to receive said edge for sliding movement therein, wherebyrelative rotation of said disc and rim results in axial movement of saidrim on said disc, and a stop fitting between the bars of one of saidpairs and secured thereto in a position to block. one of said notchesand to provide an abutment for the end of said helical edge extendingthrough said notch.

9. The wheel construction of claim 8 in which said stop has a curvedportion overlying one of the notches in one bar and means extendingthrough said stop and through said notch to secure said stop memberremovably to said bracket.

l0. The wheel construction of claim 9 in which said last-named meanscomprises a bolt with an elongated head having a width less than theWidth of said notch and having a length substantially greater than thewidth of said notch and a nut threaded on said bolt.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

